FocusThe fear of the LORD and the choice of a path
Connection to the wholeExtended appeals introduce the moral and relational setting in which the shorter sayings should be read.
interpretation Proverbs 4:17
KJVFor they eat the bread of wickedness, and drink the wine of violence.
Read it in context
A Father’s Instruction
Start reading at Proverbs 4:1 (Proverbs 4:1 to Proverbs 4:27).
An editorial reading unit, not a claim that the surrounding context stops here. Book background below applies to the shared passage; individual verses may need more specific explanation.
Extended appeals introduce the moral and relational setting in which the shorter sayings should be read.
- 4:1 Hear, ye children, the instruction of a father, and attend to know understanding.
- 4:2 For I give you good doctrine, forsake ye not my law.
- 4:3 For I was my father's son, tender and only beloved in the sight of my mother.
- 4:4 He taught me also, and said unto me, Let thine heart retain my words: keep my commandments, and live.
- 4:5 Get wisdom, get understanding: forget it not; neither decline from the words of my mouth.
- 4:6 Forsake her not, and she shall preserve thee: love her, and she shall keep thee.
- 4:7 Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom: and with all thy getting get understanding.
- 4:8 Exalt her, and she shall promote thee: she shall bring thee to honour, when thou dost embrace her.
- 4:9 She shall give to thine head an ornament of grace: a crown of glory shall she deliver to thee.
- 4:10 Hear, O my son, and receive my sayings; and the years of thy life shall be many.
- 4:11 I have taught thee in the way of wisdom; I have led thee in right paths.
- 4:12 When thou goest, thy steps shall not be straitened; and when thou runnest, thou shalt not stumble.
- 4:13 Take fast hold of instruction; let her not go: keep her; for she is thy life.
- 4:14 Enter not into the path of the wicked, and go not in the way of evil men.
- 4:15 Avoid it, pass not by it, turn from it, and pass away.
- 4:16 For they sleep not, except they have done mischief; and their sleep is taken away, unless they cause some to fall.
- 4:17 For they eat the bread of wickedness, and drink the wine of violence.
- 4:18 But the path of the just is as the shining light, that shineth more and more unto the perfect day.
- 4:19 The way of the wicked is as darkness: they know not at what they stumble.
- 4:20 My son, attend to my words; incline thine ear unto my sayings.
- 4:21 Let them not depart from thine eyes; keep them in the midst of thine heart.
- 4:22 For they are life unto those that find them, and health to all their flesh.
- 4:23 Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life.
- 4:24 Put away from thee a froward mouth, and perverse lips put far from thee.
- 4:25 Let thine eyes look right on, and let thine eyelids look straight before thee.
- 4:26 Ponder the path of thy feet, and let all thy ways be established.
- 4:27 Turn not to the right hand nor to the left: remove thy foot from evil.
Who
- Who wrote the book? Solomon is the principal named contributor, with additional sayings of the wise, Agur, and King Lemuel's mother's instruction. Hezekiah's men are credited with copying a collection of Solomon's proverbs. Biblical references: Proverbs 1:1; Proverbs 22:17; Proverbs 25:1; Proverbs 30:1; Proverbs 31:1. stated in the text
- Who was present or being addressed in this passage? In the surrounding chapter context (Proverbs 1:1–9:18): The teacher or parent addresses a son or pupil; Wisdom and the opposing seductive voices are personified within the instruction. These speeches train hearers rather than narrate a gathering of every person used as an example. stated in the text
- Who was the book written to? Learners seeking wisdom, especially the young and inexperienced, as well as wise readers seeking further understanding. The repeated son-address presents parental or teacherly instruction. Biblical references: Proverbs 1:4; Proverbs 1:5; Proverbs 1:8. stated in the text
What
- What is the topic of this reading unit? A Father’s Instruction. Read Proverbs 4:1 through Proverbs 4:27 as a connected unit. interpretation
- How does it contribute to the book? Extended appeals introduce the moral and relational setting in which the shorter sayings should be read. interpretation
When
- When are the events or message set? The book identifies more than one collection, including proverbs copied by Hezekiah's men. It does not give a date for the origin of every individual saying. book background
Where
- What is the book’s geographic setting? The instruction draws on household, workplace, city gate, court, and other everyday settings. Many sayings describe a general situation rather than one dated incident. book background
- Where does the context start? This passage sits in A Father’s Instruction (Proverbs 4:1 to Proverbs 4:27). Start reading at Proverbs 4:1. An editorial reading unit, not a claim that the surrounding context stops here. Book background below applies to the shared passage; individual verses may need more specific explanation.
How
- How does this book connect with Jesus Christ? The New Testament identifies Christ with the wisdom of God. Relating wisdom instruction to Him is a canonical connection; the personification of wisdom should not automatically be treated as a literal description of Christ's origin. See Proverbs 25:1, 1 Corinthians 1:24, 1 Corinthians 1:30. interpretation
- How should this book guide our response? Practice truthful speech, teachability, justice, diligence, and self-control. Read proverbial generalizations with their genre in view rather than as guarantees that ignore circumstance or the book's other sayings. interpretation
Cited: Proverbs 4:1, Proverbs 4:27, Proverbs 25:1, 1 Corinthians 1:24, 1 Corinthians 1:30
Who wrote it, and how we know
Solomon, with Agur and Lemuel
Named in Scripture
What Scripture saysThe book names Solomon, and also Agur and King Lemuel, and notes that Hezekiah's men copied out further proverbs.
Proverbs 1:1Proverbs 25:1Proverbs 30:1Proverbs 31:1
Early traditionTradition credits Solomon as the principal author.
What is debatedThe book itself describes later collecting, so it reached its final form after Solomon.
Related passages
- For they eat the bread of wickedness, and… Prov 9:17 Prov 20:17 Job 24:5-6 Ps 14:4 Jer 5:26-28 Ezek 22:25-29 Amos 8:4-6 Mic 3:5
Cross references from CrossReferences-org (CC BY 4.0).
Macro-Structure
See how this passage fits the chapter and the book.
Macro-Structure of Proverbs 4
Proverbs identifies several collections and contributors. Its sayings teach wisdom in conduct; a general observation is not automatically an unconditional promise for every individual circumstance. Read contrasts and parallel lines together. Local headings and stanza divisions are editorial reading aids adapted from public-domain BSB headings; verse boundaries and Scripture links use the KJV. Connections describe the surrounding book movement.
Proverbs 1:1 Proverbs 10:1 Proverbs 25:1 Proverbs 30:1 Proverbs 31:1
Suggested literary divisions. Headings summarize the passage; they are not part of the biblical text.
Macro-Structure of Proverbs
Proverbs identifies several collections and contributors. Its sayings teach wisdom in conduct; a general observation is not automatically an unconditional promise for every individual circumstance. Read contrasts and parallel lines together.
Proverbs 1:1 Proverbs 10:1 Proverbs 25:1 Proverbs 30:1 Proverbs 31:1
FocusThe fear of the LORD and the choice of a path
Connection to the wholeExtended appeals introduce the moral and relational setting in which the shorter sayings should be read.
interpretation The proverbs of Solomon
Proverbs 10:1–22:16FocusWise and foolish conduct
Connection to the wholeThe shorter sayings teach through contrasts, comparisons, and observations across the everyday life of the community.
interpretation Words of the wise
Proverbs 22:17–24:34FocusInstruction, justice, and disciplined conduct
Connection to the wholeThis collection continues the instruction through longer admonitions and observations, including further sayings of the wise.
interpretation Further proverbs of Solomon
Proverbs 25:1–29:27FocusCollected wisdom for life and rule
Connection to the wholeThe sayings identified with Hezekiah's copying activity extend the collection's instruction concerning conduct and leadership.
interpretation The words of Agur
Proverbs 30:1–33FocusHuman limits and ordered observations
Connection to the wholeAgur's words combine confession of limited understanding, prayer, and numerical sayings about the world and human conduct.
interpretation The words of Lemuel and the capable woman
Proverbs 31:1–31FocusJust rule and faithful work
Connection to the wholeThe final chapter joins instruction concerning rulers with an ordered portrait of a woman's capable and generous work.
interpretation Suggested literary divisions. Headings summarize the passage; they are not part of the biblical text.